This document summarizes characteristics, classification, anatomy, and roles of leeches. It describes that leeches have a segmented body up to 30 cm long, protected by a cuticle, with suckers and hermaphroditic reproduction. Leeches are classified as animals in the phylum Annelida, class Hirudinea, with orders including Acanthobdellia, Gnathobdellia, Rhynchobdellida, and Pharyngobdellida. The common medicinal leech is Hirudo medicinalis. While leeches can negatively enter the body and suck blood, they also have positive roles in health applications, cosmetics, and oil production.